LittleBigPlanet allows users to charge for created content

What's a better incentive to create a level in LittleBigPlanet than good, hard cold cash?

According to recent comments by David Reeves, president of SCEE, that's what's planned for the upcoming community-driven platformer.

"What we're trying to do with LittleBigPlanet is almost iTunes meets eBay in the sense that once an individual or a developer has qualified by producing certain levels or certain add-ons, they will then be able in the future to exchange these and make money out of them," Reeves notes. "Eventually, it's feasible that you might well see the first LittleBigPlanet millionaire!"

[TheHater]

Man, this game keep getting better and better. I will pay for a level if it kick ass. I hope to create level also, were I can charge people for it, if it good enough.

[i_eatbreakfast4lunch]

so much for this game being a success.....

this will turn this game into a ripoff marketplace, people will begin to set up their own stores and whatnot, its a sham on the whole idea that made UT3 great, free mods, imagine free mods in a great game.... hence what would have been with LBP, now its going to crap!

[PoSTedUP]

thats truly amazing.

[gaffyh]

If you can charge for your content that is awesome. I gotta start thinking about what type of levels I'm gonna make.

[PoSTedUP]

ima try and make a good level as fast as possible so i can get it out on display quick ya know so alot of people can see it. this is going to be crazy.

[Overr8ed]

Well then how would the money be transfer? is it going to you or to your PSN ID?

[Kaneda]

1 MILLION DOLLAR!!!

[chasuk08]

I hope you all the read the article first, as its not like the itunes app store, where you can charge for any odd crap, you need to go through a process where you have to qualify to be able to charge for your level.

[ThanatosDMC]

Did someone mention EA? HAHHAHAHA... watch how EA will copy this... err... or M$???

I'm pretty sure Adult Sexy contents will sell better. Though those would make humorous games!

[Lionsguard]

You have to make something amazingly awesome and get it approved my MM first before you can sell it so no people won't be be setting up shops.

[spunnups]

we're supposed to share the levels, not sell them. i dont have a good feeling about this at all. i hope they change their minds about this.

[ChampIDC]

I hope they have pretty high requirements for being able to charge money. Too many levels costing money might lessen the appeal. I'm hoping they have the right balance for this. It could definitely work if implemented right.

[sonarus]

This is lame. But i can only see myself paying for an LBP level coming off ps store and it better be the greatest level ever made. They need to scrap the idea

[PoSTedUP]

most likely PAYpal or something. if anything.

[Peppy la Moca]

People will be more motivated to create good levels knowing if it's good enough they can make money off it, and others will try to get more levels out there to get themselves established as quality level makers so they too will be able to charge for their even better levels in the future.

[CrazzyMan]

+ there will be like 10 000 or maybe even 100 000 levels eventually.)
+ not all people will charge their levels, atleast not all.)
+ it`s a work to create a GREAT level, it`s a good thing when work is paid.)
+ just think, you charge a level for 0.1$, with 50 000 - 100 000 downloads you get 5-10k $. Isn`t that great? =)
+ and it`s cheaper(i hope they won`t charge more), then guitar hero songs.))
+ you will have to do really great level, that people would buy it.)
+ it`s all about choice, to pay or not to pay, to charge or not to charge.)

[Omegasyde]

First off Reeves is saying that you would have to submit your material and get approved first by the developers. It must be rated so they won't let people charge others for crap levels.

"so great now I got to pay to DL content!" is really blowing the point of the content way out of proportion.

This will also net more people into buying the game which is genius. Don't think you have to pay for everything, but on the other hand to those thinking you are going to get rich think again. I can see alot of copycat level making already a problem especially if someone is charging for a level and someone is going to copy the concept make it a tad bit better and then try to submit it. Also I am sure Sony/MM will also get a piece of the pie, of everything sold.

Also if people are still turned off by this...Why not just make your own levels? Problem solved.

[yesah]

this is bull, it should be play, create, share not sell. I mean it would be fine if you could charge for sackboy cloths and mods, and maybe even some items to put in your level. But not whole levels, this takes all they joy of roaming level to level with freinds. i dont want to pay to play a halfway decent level, and i want to play some other levels, anyone who makes a level will submit it, they dont want to miss out on making money. So you will only be able to play halfway decent levels by paying.

I liked LBP but this disgusts me as a ways the developers could milk the game. Dont follow blindly and except everything LBP says its not god, and as of now no good.

Edit:

@crazzy man

i hear you but, if you make a awsome level with a chance to make "5-10k" you really are not going to charge for it? of course you would, LBP just got greedy.

[Delive]

MM will monitor the situation and the "dedicated" people making "High Quality" levels and scenarios will be "Rewarded" with the "Option" to receive compensation for their hard work. The rest of us "Casual" designers will make fun and creative levels as we can and the "Pervs" & "Racists", well you know what they will make.

So, this will by no means make it so there are no good quality free levels. Not at all. It will mean that those who prove that can produce worthy content will be able to earn something for it. As long as they don't get carried away with the prices, I'm cool with it.

[Tomdc]

jus imgine how much money you could make from somethin like this if you make one that is really popular! Say 100,000 people buy it at 1 quid a download... thats 100 grand... unlikely but a few levels should get that kind of popularity!

[MaximusPrime]

this change my mind about littlebigplanet. if it means making profits, then i gotta start getting some ideas for the game. :s

[Adriokor]

allows them for creativity and good start without wasting money on school

[Salvadore]

"...eBay in the sense that once an individual or a developer has qualified by producing certain levels or certain add-ons, they will then be able in the future to exchange these and make money out of them,"

Good thing people have qualify before being able to charge for content.

[Hershy999]

That quote was from a few months ago and they just restated it.

[DarkBlade]

It seem like you are the only one that cares that it's old. Plus i haven't heard of this, sounds awesome.

[spunnups]

because this scares me. PSN is all about being free, make money on advertisements , not creativity.

[Relcom]

my lifes dream!

I hope their is a super ultra mega edition of this game so i can support the 25 devs that made this awesome game by giving them some of my dough.

[yesah]

no you make money building a level, you pay money playing the game.

[eagle21]

This will make gamers push themselves to make awesome levels. :)

Edit: this will only be a few talented individuals. You must qualify. User content is free in the game. What this article is suggesting is that Media Molecule will be on the lookout for very talented creators and they will reward them for it. :)

[Bill Gates]

This just adds to my anticipation of this game.
Have fun creating stuff, AND get paid for it....sign me up!

Hey BABOONS, hurry up and buy a PS3 so you can give me your money too like you do to the company that's ripping you off....AAHAHAHHAHAHAHHA

[Ali_The_Brit]

Wow...

But, i doubt many people are going to pay just to play someones level (am i getting that right?) or is it for content only? i.e i make a really clever robot trap machine thingymabob! and if people want it they just pay 30p... that could work

Also i just thought of a major flaw in this...

Ok so iv made my fantastic big robot trap or a fully working rollercoaster, whatever

Its so good i decide to give it people, they can play with it in my level first, but if they actualy want it for themselfs and to put it in THERE levels to edit with or whatever they need to buy it off me, currently im charging £0.30 for this fantastic robot of mine.

A guy buys it.... the next day..

He's selling it for £0.80p
OR
He's giving it away for free stopping me from making any profit at all from something i put days into perfecting and making Dev quality.

Unless your unable to sell on anything you buy yourself? or give away for that matter?

Maybe there taking it too far.....lets just stick to sharing guys i dont want to be paying for something ingame once iv already bought the game
(this isnt XBL yano )

[PirateThom]

Ha, LittleBigPlanet will be epic and without equal

[Ali_The_Brit]

Hmm just re-read something, about the qualify part, does that mean you have to prove your excelence or even possibily get MM sign of approval before your aloud to sell something?

If so it could work, but i still dont like the idea of it because soon enough itl be a wash of good levels you would have to pay for and there will be no good free levels, because why keep your awsome level free when you can charge for it?

People are saying, oooh awsome i can make money, but youl lose money too just wanting to play some ***** levels.

For the first time im disapointed with MM :(

[Veryangryxbot]

And thats all that matters. Lets be honest here. "LBP millionaire" sounds tempting. But its probably not possible.
The shiat will probably not cost that much anyway.

[avacadosnorkel]

that just limited a ton of play because I'm not about to buy your created levels

[Meus Renaissance]

Who is going to buy crappy levels? If you make something awesome, I will pay you for it. Simple as that. If your levels suck, and you charge for them, because the game has a feedback and complaint system, your ranking will plummet.

[The gaming GOD]

the fact of the matter is that if you make a crappy level and try to sell it to people, you WILL be penalized.

[Max Power]

you meet the criteria to be able to sell your levels, i'd imagine that you'd have to get several thousand hits on your level with a great ranking inorder to be able to charge, i figure .25 per dl after you qualified could/should bring a good amount of cash, if you level or levels are that good.

[games4fun]

it was good thinking to have a qualifying process because people in general are cheap and wont make it.

People could undercut the developers/other people if you know what i mean ;)

i want to make levels so much now My Goal: make enough to pay for the ammount i paid for the game

[Bigbangbing]

Nooooooooooooo

where is the share part ?

Now Everyone will charge for the levels :(

'Play, Create, Share' :(

[Lionsguard]

/facepalm

wow..seriously people please read the article first.

[Omegasyde]

Seriosly theres more story if you actually "click" the link.

In all honestly though SCEE (Sony europe) screw about everything up with the last big hit against them being delaying Wipeout Hd for over a year.

Too bad SCEA doesn't have HOME or Little Big Planet under its umbrella.

[Skerj]

Wow, once word of that gets out LBP is going to be like a man smoking at a gas station. It's about to blow uuuuup!! (Thanks Martin).

[Polluted]

I think this sucks. I don't want people to start charging for content. What happened to play, create, *share*? It's play, create, sell now?

This will completely ruin the game if true.

Edit: Just saw nbnt's comment...so...what he said.

[The gaming GOD]

Just think about the modders for unreal tournament 3. They make that stuff free. They don't get a dime for their efforts. They do deserve some kind of compensation for stuff they made that gets downloaded thousands of times right?

Of course they do. That's why this is a good idea to do in little big planet. It rewards the creator for their effort in the community.

[PimpHandHappy]

wow

and

WOW

buy a PS3 with LBP and you might be able to pay off your PS3 over time!

Thats a crazy idea!

and btw
Only the PS3 and the openiness of the sytem can allow for stuff like this!

Talk about a bullet point for buying a game

WOW

[Topshelfcheese]

this is dumb, everyone will charge for there levels(regardless of there quality).
The only way i can see this as working is, you have to release a certain number of highly ranked levels, before your allowed to start charging for future levels. It will force people to prove that they are worthy of getting paid.

[The gaming GOD]

Everyone is thinking "great now people will charge for sucky levels"

Initially, I can see why someone would think that. But the ranking system is there for this very think. They have a system for good and bad feedback. So if someone is making money off of crappy levels, trust me, they won't be making money off of them for long. Their ranking will nose dive

[joemayo76]

i think this is great for potential developers, and this isnt an option for anyone i think this is for ppl who excel at makin maps and get great ratings, i believe sony will eventually give this option to those users only. I think this is also a great way to promote creativity because if everyone is ripping off levels from other 2d platformers (like mario etc.) AND charging for them that's a no-no in legal terms.

[Milky]

So I pay for the game but have to pay again to play a good level ? Sounds AWFUL. I dont piss money, hardly have enough to buy this game. I hope the level to qualify is really high, like you have to make 200 exceptional levels before you can charge for the next one.

[sandip787]

ok, im not gonna share my ideas with people anymore!

[Omegasyde]

Smart, too bad you can't patent your levels in game :D

[Spydiggity]

Sony is the greatest corporation of all time! YEAH!

response to the guy below me...actually, i own both and PS3s d/l content is much more expensive. same with the movies. :)

and just to clear some things up. in the last couple years, sony has been nailed at least twice for engaging in illegal activity. First they got caught in the movie industry because a guy was giving favorable reviews to movies made by sony columbia pictures. but guess what...this guy turned out to not even be real, sony made him up.

Then in the music industry several DJs came forward saying that Sony offered to pay them off if they would play more music produced by them than their competition.

So they've BSed the movie industry, They've BSed the music industry, and thanks to the cooperation of fanboys like you, they are getting away with BSing the game industry. I feel so sorry for people like you...can't see the forest for the trees But, keep flaming... that's what makes this site great. and before you flame on about me being wrong about any of this, do some research.

just like your blind statement about 360 ripping us off by overcharging...you are 100% wrong about that. but you don't own a 360 so you're just making that up. I love when people try to present themselves as knowledgeable and then get called out on it. The thing about facts is....they have to be based on fact.

[Lionsguard]

You are such an idiot..did you even read the article before running your mouth? Some stupid kid is not going to be able to charge money for his crappy 2 minute level. It has to be approved my MM first and it has to be scored highly or a creator has to make top level maps/stuff to qualify. DAMN I hate non-article readers.

EDIT: Oh and how is it that the 360 fanboys have a shred of sense? MS charges you up the ass for all it's extra content and you know where that money goes? INTO THEIR POCKET. Sony is offering the chance for the PLAYERS to make money. Do you see the difference? Should I draw you a picture?

[Lionsguard]

Ok first of all why bring the other divisions of Sony into this? Their department is completely seperate from their games division so whatever they do doesn't reflect SCEA. They do not answer to Kaz nor does Kaz control them.

Secondly yes I did say SONY was putting the money into pockets of the players but it's actually MM who has designed it this way. The straight fact here is that MS charges you to get online and for every other crap. Had MM made LBP for the 360 EVERY single level even the crappy 5 year old created ones would be charged hell that is even if MS would even LET users create and sell in the first place and you know what? All that money would go to THEM. UT3 for 360? Epic had to say they would port the mods themselves because that would be the only way of getting any type of user created content to the 360. Sony and MM has done a service to people by letting them have a chance at making back money. the only people who are griping about this are those who know they have no shred of talent and know that there is no way their crap is going to get approved and be sold online. For the others who have a vision will not complain because they will easily make back the money from their TOP rated content.

Lastly, Most the of the content is going to be free anyway it's not like every single person is going to get approved and for those that are approved whats the harm in that? Do you HAVE to buy the level?

Oh and finally don't accuse Sony of paying off people and pretending that Microsoft is all sweet and innocent.

[Omegasyde]

What's wrong with a Music label paying people for $$$ for preference of thier artist material?

Wow, you don't know jack sh** SPY diggity. This has been happening forever on RADIO STATIONS. It's call PAYOLA, trying looking it up.

"First they got caught in the movie industry because a guy was giving favorable reviews to movies made by sony columbia pictures."

And Sony was the only ones to do this? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. End HAHAH.

Once again, you are naive. Every Studio does this, even the Television studio's.

"...just like your blind statement about 360 ripping us off by overcharging...you are 100% wrong about that."

How many free things do you get with your XBOX LIVE Account? What 2 southpark Episodes a year? We all know it's not DLC or Demo's. So basically with a Live Subscription your are paying for In-game Voice Communications over what PSN offers. If Sony implements that later on in firmware..What then? Paying 50$ for using Avatars?

[smokeymicpot]

Not a bad idea. But the only thing with this is a lot of people will be charing for their levels

[Lionsguard]

This idea will help seperate the extremely talented from your casual weekend joe creator. Oh and why complain? Why not just make an awesome level yourself? This is just more incentive to get really creative and not mess around with building tanks and ramps all day long.

[Sheddi]

this can both be good or bad
we will have to wait and see how it turns out :)

[cliffbo]

it will work on your ratings. if you consistently hit the top (lets say 10 to begin with) then you can approach Sony/MM and ask if you qualify to charge for future levels. there will be millions of levels available for free because of having to rank up and then there will be hundreds of levels available for purchase after people get the go ahead. this is incredible

[Homicide]

I'm quitting my job. LBP will make me rich.

[xplosneer]

This I don't like. I know there's a ranking system and all, but there better be at least a few people out there working for free. And I don't wanna think about Media Molecule taking things down because they are too similar to a level that is being charged for(So like a Patent).

[Mr PS3]

My fellow PS3 owners
All will be able to share my gaming creativity

[dutchdolo1586]

I can tell some of you didn't read the passage good enough! Its cleary states that once you are QUALIFIED then you will be able to start making levels available for purchase. I'm sure they won't let a person make a crappy level and put up for sale. Anyway, who would buy a crappy level in the first place? LOL

[Shroomy]

I can see it now

"Hey dude did you get that awesome map with the aliens and sh*t?"

*err no It costs money!*

"you're poor lol fail"

*:( but I just bought this damn PS3 and a payed for LBP, now I have to buy the best maps?*

"hell yeah"

Do you see Bungie giving you this option? charging for screenshots, video clips, maps and gamemodes? no! and people still make amazing maps for everyone to play!

[dro]

what are u talking abut !!!...ur getting paid from another gamer for a level u created in other words ur like a mini game dev how is that a bad thing, u dont really need a job anymore, if i create like 10 level that people want and lets say its £5(im from europe) and people by the whole 10 i make i get £25 just by doing nothing but playing a game, u dont need to wake up in the morning and get caught in rush hour because ur going to work all u have to do is wake up roll a joint(for smokers e.g me XD) AND START CREATING....if u smoke WEED XD just wait till u see what i am going to make for u im going to create a level that are for smokers so u will be tripping out while playin my sh1t...were all my weed smokers at :D

[Sanhlami]

Man, everytime I hear about LittleBigPlanet it gets better. A possiblility of making money for talent is a great idea. This won't turn into a marketplace because only the qualified, processed level can be turned into add-ons which is going to be very few individuals but those who will make it will be rich.

[wizerd]

Think about it no one is going to charge to much for there levels for instance this game is super hyped its going to sell like 5 million copies and say 2 million of them have the internet and you charge 1 pound/dollere for your level even if only 500 people out of 2 mill download it you have just made 500 dollars/pounds its a great idea no one is going to charge like 30 pounds/dollers for a level plus you have to qualifie

[CrazzyMan]

+ there will be like 10 000 or maybe even 100 000 levels eventually.)
+ not all people will charge their levels, atleast not all.)
+ it`s a work to create a GREAT level, it`s a good thing when work is paid.)
+ just think, you charge a level for 0.1$, with 50 000 - 100 000 downloads you get 5-10k $. Isn`t that great? =)
+ and it`s cheaper(i hope they won`t charge more), then guitar hero songs.))
+ you will have to do really great level, that people would buy it.)
+ it`s all about choice, to pay or not to pay, to charge or not to charge.)

[dro]

but does anybody know how we will get our money? i dont want to post my bank details online because i know there are alot of hackers that can do things with peoples bank details.

[juuken]

This game is gonna rock. Mark my words.

[matpoo]

i hope it's not too expensive

[Lord_Ash]

There is one big positive thing about this, people will get motivated to create levels also I like how the developers will rate the levels before they approve it for sale, good luck to everyone, I won't be making allot of levels since I'm lazy and they will probably be below average anyways.

[MvmntInGrn]

Interesting, people should realize not many will be able to do this. The Developers will have to choose what levels to be made at cost, and just because they let someone publish 1 level doesn't mean that person will be allowed to sell all their levels, at least that is how I would imagine it.

As long as the levels are under $1 each this could be a worthwhile thing. Hope they don't screw this up.

[Harry190]

for my creations.

[lil Titan]

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[lil Titan]

i wouldnt put this in kids minds as a day job, Sony would probaly put the money it in your PSN account to buy more games

[lil Titan]

remaking mario levels, donkey kong ect.

[Mr_Luke]

So i make a good level... i can sell it? ppl have to pay to try it?
I see this more a negative thing than positive... but maybe these are only my impressions, hope i'm wrong

[GameOn]

It would be nice to have just kept them free and encourage a really strong community.

[mindedone]

you won't be able submit the levels people will want most, i.e. levels of copyrighted content (mario level, mgs level) plus how could they stop people from copying purchased levels and shaeing those, even if you couldn't share the original?)

[Asurastrike]

I will never pay for user made content.

[Mc Fadge]

They should drop this. They should make us able to earn fluff (the LBP currency) rather than real money. And it shouldn't charge other people to play it. Hopefully this idea will be scrapped, and we'll be rewarded in other ways for making levels

[Engineer]

This may force more people to create levels. But I'm in agreement that the whole system will need some tweaking. I mean how can we know if a level made by some joe-shmoe is what we want to play? Maybe it's good for someone else, but after purchasing it it'll have game mechanics we dislike, or be harder than we want.

I'd rather they do a donation system, where when you finish a level it'll let you donate to the person if you think they deserve it. Then everyone that thinks they should be compensated can do it, and everyone that can't can rate the level high so others that might pay will play it.

[DARKTRINITYxxx]

Yes sorry to say i think its a bad move also. Lost for words tbh.

[xc7x]

hope this idea gets into other forms of games

[fantasygamer]

this sounds really interesting but im kinda curious as to if this would be kinda like SONY money to where you can maybe have money im say HOME when it comes out and spend it on products in HOME and maybe on the Sony online store and possibly products advertised in home but there real life counterparts like say Nike shoes or w/e this is just speculation people just so you know. :)

[GodsHand]

Im sure all content will have to be original, no use of trademarks, copy righted material. Im sure you can get premission from some company to use there logos, but can you make money off of it, I doubt it unless they get there cut. This whole idea of making money sounds nice, but im sure there is more to it then just building a level and making a profit. But only time will tell.

[unbiased]

99% of all good levels are going to be free. But that special person that makes a must have level like a Perfect halo level not some cheap crap, may become rich

[Endorphin]

Pay up biatch...lol thought we were suppose to be a community.(This was just for fun)